Daily WHUFC News - 14th October 2014

From the Boardroom - David Sullivan
WHUFC.com

This has been an impressive start to the season and we hope to keep our unbeaten run going when we head to face Crystal Palace on Saturday. The start is as strange as it has been impressive. I'm desperate for us to improve our home form as the supporters deserve it.
It is great for us to be the second highest scorers in the Premier League, having scored in every game. But let's not get carried away as we have two very tough games coming up against Palace and Chelsea. The football is far better to watch this season and it's great to see goals. People are starting to call us the entertainers as we are such high goalscorers, with goals coming from so many different players. Let's hope the goals keep coming and our reputation for playing entertaining football again continues. There has been speculation in the media surrounding the future of our talented defender James Tomkins. James is a West Ham United player and has four-and-a-half years left on the contract. He loves the club. ​He won't be going anywhere.

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West Ham United agree deal with VVV-Venlo
WHUFC.com

West Ham United are delighted to announce they have struck an agreement with Dutch Club VVV-Venlo which will see talented young players exchanged between the two Clubs. Academy Manager & Head of Player Development Coaching Terry Westley has been looking at a partnership with another European Club for the last year. Westley has travelled around Europe, but was convinced that the Dutch outfit had the best facilities and style of play to help the young players at the West Ham Academy grow even stronger. The partnership has already started with defender Sam Westley moving to Venlo on loan as part of the deal and the Club are hoping to bring in some exciting Dutch talent.
Westley said: "It's something we have looked at for 12 months. We have been to Slovakia, France and Holland. "We have met with different Clubs and we chose Venlo in the end after doing our homework and looking at the environment and what the staff are like.
"We managed to get the link after I went over to Holland and met the Club's director to form a football partnership. We feel the high technical game which they play could suit our players. "Our thought process was could we be futuristic? If you look at defenders, Reece Burke is a great example as going to Bradford is really helping him and being tough against a senior centre forward. "But if you are looking for a midfielder or an attacking player, you might be looking for a different type of game and Venlo ticks those boxes. Our staff can go and see the things they do and the same for them. "Socially it will be a good experience for all the players."

VVV-Venlo director Marco Bogers is also thrilled with the deal and hopes the young Hammers players who arrive can make a breakthrough into the first-team. Bogers said: "We are very happy that we have been approached by West Ham United. "Our goal is to learn about the way West Ham United work and we can learn a lot from a big Club like West Ham. "We have already taken Sam Westley and we hope to take many more. Our ambition is to get back into the top league in Holland and it would be nice if some of the West Ham players who arrive here can make it into the first-team."

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The Big Interview - Darren Randolph
WHUFC.com

Darren Randolph could never have imagined a week ago that he would be part of a winning team against Germany – let alone playing such a crucial role in the winning strike against the world champions.

Randolph appeared as a substitute for the Republic of Ireland just before half-time after Shay Given was forced to leave the pitch with a knee injury.

The West Ham United keeper kept his composure and showed his quality once again as he did everything to keep the Germany forwards at bay and then played his part in the match-winner on 70 minutes.

Randolph's long kick fell perfectly for Shane Long and he produced an exquisite finish past Manuel Neuer to guarantee a play-off place for the European Championship Finals next summer.

The Hammers keeper then played the full ninety minutes as the Republic of Ireland suffered a 2-1 defeat against Poland on Sunday night and missed out on automatic qualification by just one goal.

Randolph is now waiting anxiously for the draw which takes place on Sunday but is confident his team have enough quality to book their place alongside England, Wales and Northern Ireland at the Euro Finals.


Darren, it has been a memorable few days for you. If you would have been told a week ago that you would beat the world champions and would play a part in the winning goal, would you have believed it?

DR: "I definitely would not have believed that. It has been a crazy week but very enjoyable.

"I didn't have much time to get into the zone when I came onto the pitch. Shay was coming off on a stretcher and he quickly said all the best. The next thing I knew I was on the pitch.

"I remember for the goal that David Meyler passed the ball back to me and it may have been Mario Gotze who was trying to close me down.

"I put the ball onto my right foot and was aiming for Jon Walters but he was offside, so he let it go and Shane was onside and it was a great finish – especially against such a great keeper like Neuer."


Ireland produced two of their best performances in the group stages against Germany taking a point away from home and then securing a memorable home win. Do you think that Ireland should have qualified automatically after taking four points from the world champions?

DR: "If you take four points off the world champions who are top team in the group, you are thinking of automatic qualification.

"But last month when we were sitting fourth and four points behind Scotland we would have taken a play-off position and would have probably taken it before the group stages had even started.

"To be this close and just one goal away from getting automatic qualification, it wasn't to be but we have now got the play-offs."


Are you hoping for a favourable draw in the play-offs next month and what would it mean to you to represent your country at a major tournament?

DR: "I hope we can get a favourable draw. I grew up watching these tournaments and was thinking that I would love the chance to play in one of them.

"I am not going to lie. I had some thoughts thinking we were going to beat Poland and qualify, but hopefully we will be celebrating next month."


Was it always going to be a tough challenge for you facing Robert Lewandowski – one of the best strikers in the world at the moment?

DR:"It was always going to be tough to get a result in Poland, let alone facing a striker who is showing this kind of form at the moment and he took his chance."



This could prove to be a great summer for the Hammers boys. We saw some great celebrations from the Wales players and Ginge after they reached the Euro Finals next summer. I'm sure you must have been delighted for him and you will want to be joining him in France?

DR: "He will come back over the moon having qualified and hopefully we will both end up going to the tournament in France next summer."


We obviously turn our attentions back to club football this weekend and a difficult away game at Crystal Palace. Having made the breakthrough into the first-team earlier in the season, you must be determined to keep working hard and waiting for your chance once again?

DR: "I didn't expect to get a chance so soon after joining the Club but I need to keep working hard in training and wait for my next chance.

"Crystal Palace have had a great start to the season and every team that has gone there has not found it easy. We are going to need a performance like we have shown in our other away games in the league to get anything on Saturday. It is another very tough game."


You know Alan Pardew very well having played him under him at Charlton. How much praise have you got for the job he has done at Selhurst Park?

DR: "At the time when I was at Charlton, I was second choice as we had Scott Carson on loan from Liverpool but he couldn't play at Anfield and Pards gave me my debut at Anfield in a 2-2 draw.

"It was fun and he is a big character. It will be good to see him again on Saturday. He is a good man manager and his confidence rubs off on the players, especially when you are doing well and he gets the players to believe in themselves more."

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Midfielder delighted by form
WHUFC.com

West Ham United Academy defender Declan Rice hailed the impact made by substitute Jahmal Hector-Ingram as the U18s made it four wins in a row.

The young Hammers continued their climb of the Barclays U18 Premier League Southern Division table with a 2-1 win at Aston Villa on Saturday, capped by a winner from hotshot striker Hector-Ingram.

Republic of Ireland U17 star Rice insisted that every member of Steve Potts' squad had contributed to the recent run of victories, including England youth international Hector-Ingram, whose first goal of the campaign added to a Villa own-goal to secure another three points.

"Everyone is over the moon with that result," revealed Rice. "We all knew it was going to be a really hard fixture, but we all stuck together and got our rewards at the end.

"The boys worked tremendously hard to get the result we needed. We created numerous chances in the first half but failed to put any of them away.

"In the second half though, we brought on Jahmal and he really was a threat up front and managed to score the winner for us.

"Beating Villa means we have now won four games in a row and everyone at the Academy is buzzing. We now have to keep our focus and prepare for Brighton on Thursday."

Prior to the current run of victories, the Hammers managed just two draws and three defeats from their opening five fixtures, when the impressive performances they produced at the start of the season were not rewarded with positive results.

When asked for his opinions on what has changed in recent weeks, Rice paid tribute to the leadership of coaching duo Potts and Mark Phillips.

"We've been working hard during training, taking on board that everything Steve and Mark have been telling us," he continued.

"Hard work, along with excellent coaching, really help when we transfer them onto the pitch and we've shown that in the past four games."

After their victories against Chelsea and Reading at Chadwell Heath, it was reported that the Academy players sang the Hammers anthem I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles at the top of their voices to celebrate their results.

At Villa, their vocal chords were spared, but music was still the theme following another fine victory.

"We didn't sing Bubbles after the Villa game in the dressing room but we did have the music blasting out to celebrate! We usually save Bubbles for when we win at home!"

First-year scholar Rice has enjoyed a productive campaign so far, having been voted FAI U15 Player of the Year in the summer.

When asked to pinpoint his high point of 2015/16, scoring in a win over former club Chelsea was the teenager's natural response.

"That Chelsea game was definitely my highlight of the season so far," he smiled. "It's always a nice feeling to score when your team wins and when it comes against your former club, it's magical!

"I've been very happy with the way I have started this season but it's important that I keep performing at a high standard so I can keep my place in the team.

"Hopefully, after Christmas, if I can keep performing well, I might be able to get a few more Development Squad games under my belt."

Prior to that, West Ham host Brighton & Hove Albion at Little Heath on Thursday lunchtime, and Rice knows that the Hammers will need to hit the heights again if they are to make it five wins on the spin.

"We cannot afford to underestimate Brighton because we know they are a very good team that have been scoring lots of goals this season," he pointed out.

"The aim is for us to just continue what we've been doing and hopefully we can get another win to extend our run."

Kick-off on Thursday is at 12noon, with admission and parking at Little Heath both completely free of charge!

U18s: Brown, Eggleton, Akinola, Rice, Pask, Borg, Dobson, Sylvestre, Powell, Diangana, Kanu (Hector-Ingram)
Subs not used: Longelo, Barrett, Lewis

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Stacey Little exclusive: why I left West Ham Ladies
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 13th October 2015
By: Staff Writer

Former West Ham Ladies captain Stacey Little has revealed exactly why she decided to quit the club along with five team mates last week.
Last Tuesday evening Little walked out of West Ham Ladies - where she had spent the last six seasons - following a team meeting with manager Mark Nurse, who recently replaced the outgoing Julian Dicks. And in a no-holds-barred exclusive interview with the Podcast's Chris Scull and James Longman, she revealed that she felt she had no option but to resign from her position having received no backing from the club's joint Chairmen, Stephen Hunt and his father, John Hunt, in her campaign to oust Nurse. "To this day I don't know how Mark got the position," said Little. "There were ex-pros who wanted the job. "Julian Dicks raised the profile of the club massively and we wanted to keep that going. I was really looking forward to this season as I felt we could have done really well - but for me, we appointed the wrong person. "The coaching was the worst I've had since I've been at the club or any other club, for that matter. I also felt he was lacking in people skills - all points that I raised to him during our meeting on the Tuesday when we walked. "I've been unhappy for pretty much the whole of this season. I tried to get it out there to the Chairman - but I was ignored. "I approached the Chairman who basically said he wasn't interested and that I should go to Mark Nurse with any player issues. But the problem was with the manager - and how could I speak to the manager about himself?" "I needed to go higher, but I had no-one to go to. Nobody would listen to me. "I spoke to John Hunt after the Forest Green game and told him the only solution was that Mark had to go. He said it wasn't him that needed convincing as it was [his son] Steven's decision - and he's not interested at all."

The whole affair came to a head last Tuesday evening when a team meeting - to which Little and vice-captain Kerry Stimson had not been invited - ended with the duo and four fellow players walking out of the club. "Kerry was released after the Basildon game [last weekend] which we lost 1-0, and I was suspended," Little told Scull and Longman. "Mark sent me a text message to say I'd been suspended because after the game I'd tweeted people urging them to take action. "Yet our new goalkeeper tweeted pretty much the same thing but nothing happened, so it felt like a personal vendetta. "Then he sent a text to all the girls - except me and Kerry - to confirm there would be a team meeting on Tuesday. I sent him a message to say I'd been made aware there was a meeting and that I'd be coming as I was still part of this club and wanted to voice my opinion. "He replied and said I wasn't welcome as I was suspended and that he was fully aware of my opinion - but I turned up anyway. "Mark took a cheap shot and said the girls were slagging each other off, picking out individual players to try and cause problems between us. He lied to my face, denied saying certain things and it was very frustrating.
"I told him the only way this would be resolved was if he was to go, as he'd lost the changing room. I told him that if he had any respect for us or himself he'd leave. He refused, saying he wasn't going anywhere. "He told us that if we didn't want to stay, we could leave. So six of us got up and walked out of the meeting - and that was that. I think they tried calling our bluff - and they lost.
"They then claimed we'd been released, when we'd walked. They said we were surplus to requirements, which is just the biggest insult; how can six first team players suddenly become surplus to requirements?"

KUMB.com contacted West Ham Ladies in order to allow them to respond to Little's comments, but they did not reply. You may hear the full interview with Little in this week's edition of the KUMB West Ham Podcast.

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Sullivan quashes 'Tomkins to Sunderland' link
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 13th October 2015
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United co-owner David Sullivan says that James Tomkins is going nowhere, despite being linked with a move to Sunderland.
The central defender was linked with a move to Wearside to rejoin former boss Sam Allardyce, who was confirmed as Dick Advocaat's replacement at the Stadium of Light last week. However Sullivan has confirmed that the 26-year-old centre half - who is represented by Allardyce's favoured agent Mark Curtis - would not be leaving the Boleyn Ground in the near future. "There has been speculation in the media surrounding the future of our talented defender James Tomkins," he told whufc.com. "James is a West Ham United player and has four-and-a-half years left on the contract. He loves the club. ​He won't be going anywhere."

Sullivan also appeared to take a sideswipe at his former employee when comparing the fayre on offer under Allardyce to that being produced presently by Slaven Bilic's squad. "The football is far better to watch this season and it's great to see goals," he added. "People are starting to call us the entertainers as we are such high goalscorers, with goals coming from so many different players.
"Let's hope the goals keep coming and our reputation for playing entertaining football again continues."

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West Ham announce feeder club link
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 13th October 2015
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United have announced a new partnership with Dutch club VVV Venlo. As reported here on KUMB last month, the new agreement allows West Ham to send players on loan to the Dutch Eerste Divisie side, whilst having first dibs on any players featuring at the De Koel stadium. Academy boss Terry Westley, whose own son Sam is already at Venlo told whufc.com: "It's something we've looked at for 12 months. We've been to Slovakia, France and into Holland where we met different clubs. "We hand-picked Venlo in the end after doing our homework and managed to form a football partnership with their directors and team managers. The type of game they play could benefit some of our younger players. "If you look at defenders, Reece Burke is a great example as going to Bradford is really helping him in terms of marking at set pieces, defending properly and being tough against a senior centre forward. "But if you are looking for a midfielder or an attacking player who receives the ball on the back foot, you might be looking for a different type of game and Venlo ticks those boxes. That's the thought process behind it. "Our staff can go and see the things they do and they can come to us. They have an Academy similar to ourselves, they're a selling club who got relegated from the top division three season ago and they're having a real go this year at getting promoted."

And Westley admitted that his son Sam, a defender by trade, was essentially acting as a "guinea pig" by becoming the first Academy player to make the switch. "Sam has gone as a tester really to see what the training, matches and living there is like," he said. "Socially it'll be a good experience for all the young players. "The training is more technical, they spend an awful lot more time with the ball and not so much on small-sided games. There's a lot of emphasis on being able to take the ball and pass it properly on their 4G pitch."We think Sam will come away a better player and will lead the path for others to go over in the future."

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Dimitri Payet hits out at France manager Didier Deschamps
Last Updated: 13/10/15 1:24pm
SSN

Dimitri Payet claims he is being unfairly ignored for selection by France manager Didier Deschamps. Payet has been in impressive form for West Ham since making his £10.7m switch from Marseille this summer but has not featured for the French national side since June.
The former Marseille midfielder, who has scored four goals in eight league appearances for the Hammers this season, says he deserves a call-up based on his current Premier League form. "I feel as if it is an injustice," Payet told French newspaper L'Equipe. "It is more than a year now that I am in the best form of my career, even if I can still get better. So, for me, it is unjust not to be in the France squad. "Whose fault is it? A bit of mine because I am not doing what they want of me but there is maybe something else. What? I don't know. I hear rumours that I am frowned upon. You have to take me as I am. "Perhaps it is my fault because I have not done what is expected of me, but maybe there is more to it. He [Deschamps] has the choice to make, he thinks about the group as a whole. "That is what perhaps I reproach myself with today. I hear the sounds that say I wouldn't look good in the team. Good. You have to take me as I am. "If you ask all my coaches, I don't think they will tell you: 'Dimitri, he is an idiot.' The thing that I haven't yet come to terms with is the injustice."

West Ham have made a strong start to their Premier League campaign and currently sit in sixth place, following impressive away victories at Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City. And Payet believes the strength in depth in Slaven Bilic's squad is the main reason for the team's success so far this season. "At West Ham, we have enough to make two starting XIs," he said. "If you are not good, they can quickly put someone in your place and forget about you. The rhythm, it is much more intense. In training, I was shattered at the beginning. In the match, that is multiplied by ten. "You cannot afford to be soft. You need to win the duels, to be ready to multiply your efforts. And that means going full blast. You take hits. As long as they are not full-blown attacks, they have their charm. "We have quality up front. We are still struggling in certain games to play our game but we are improving."

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Police hunting group of West Ham fans after anti-Semitic chants following Leicester clash
15:03, 13 OCT 2015 UPDATED 15:09, 13 OCT 2015
BY BEN CUSACK
Supporters are alleged to have sang vile songs on the train and refused to stop when a pedestrian took offence to their lyrics
The Mirro

Police are hunting a group of men after reports of vile anti-Semitic chanting after a football match. British Transport Police have issued CCTV images of five men they wish to speak to following West Ham's home clash with Leicester City. The match, on August 15, was won 2-1 by the visitors, but West Ham fans travelling between Watford Junction and Milton Keynes, north of London, were heard to be making anti-Semitic chants. PC Michael Botterill said: "A man, who boarded the train at Watford Junction, took his seat in the first class carriage. "A group of West Ham fans were already seated and, as the train pulled away, they began to sing anti-Semitic songs.
"The man, quite rightly, took offence to these vile songs and challenged the group over their language. However, they refused to stop and continued with their chanting." Police received reports from several other witnesses to the behaviour of the men, who are believed to have left the train at Northampton. PC Botterill added: "This sort of casual racism has gone unchallenged for too long. "We know the vast majority of football fans are decent people, but for those who continue to make life unpleasant for the travelling public, our message is clear: we will not tolerate your yobbish behaviour."

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West Ham star Dimitri Payet believes his French international exile is "an injustice"
2 COMMENTS 11:55, 13 OCT 2015 UPDATED 11:55, 13 OCT 2015
BY NEIL MCLEMAN
The summer signing from Marseille has made a bright start to Premier League life but Les Bleus boss Didier Deschamps has left him out since June
The Mirror

Dimitri Payet has claimed his omission from the France squad is "an injustice" with only nine months to go before his home European Championships. West Ham's £10.7million has scored four goals and made three assists in his first eight Premier League games in the Hammers' stunning start to the seasson. But the former Marseille playmaker has not been called up by Didier Deschamps since a 1-0 defeat to Albania in June. Payet, who has won 15 caps, told L'Equipe: "I feel feel like an injustice, yes. For more than a year I am at the best level of my career even if I can still get better. "Therefore for me, it is unjust for me not to be in the French team. "Whose fault is it? A bit of mine because I am not doing what they want of me but there is maybe something else. What? I don't know. I hear rumours that I am frowned upon. You have to take me as I am. "If you ask all my coaches, I don't think they are going to say to you: 'Dimitri, he is an idiot'. The thing that I cannot accept is the injustice." Payet insisted he could form a deadly duo up front playing behind Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema. But he added: "I do not understand what they expect from me. But not to be called up to the France team will not stop me from living. "Even if I think about it, I am not on my knees in front of my TV waiting for a call-up. I am living a dream now in England. The national team, if it makes me unhappy, I don't want it." But he's happy at Upton Park and won't lose sleep over missing out Payet made a controversial departure from Marseille in the summer to move to Upton Park. "I said to the coach [Slaven Bilic] before signing: 'If I come and the ball is passing above my head, I am not going to be a lot of use'. "He assured me of the project he wanted to put in place. We have quality up front. We still find it difficult to play in some matches but we are getting better."

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Bilic looks set for improved contract
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 13, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

Slaven Bilic is heading for an improved West Ham deal if the progress under his management continues. The Croatian accepted a contract understood to be short of that offered to Sam Allardyce when he was at the Upton Park helm. But such was Bilic's determination and desire to take over at Upton Park he didn't hesitate to accept an offer which is believed to include a clause that were the club to be relegated his contract would be 'torn up.' It is also believed that his basic wage is short of Allardyce's and that positional bonuses don't start until he reaches the top ten. However, the manager has made a serious impression at the club and it is believed the board could be ready to sit down midway through the season to negotiate improved terms. We were told: "The board are great believers in rewarding excellence and Slav need have no worries that improvements will be on the way as the team continues what looks like becoming a successful season."

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Andy Carroll: Thinking the unthinkable!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 13, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

I read a piece this morning which suggested that apart from James Tomkins former boss, Sam Allardyce, may be raising the club for Mark Noble – a player he loves! Whatever we may or may not think of Noble it's unlikely to happen for the bloke is a Hammers to his backbone, club skipper and the least likely candidate in the world to make a move a few hundred miles up country to the 'alien' north east. What has surprised me, however, is that there hasn't been a whisper about the one player I would have expected to be mentioned – a certain Andy Carroll. Nobody loves Andy more than Mr Allardyce and I can think of no other manager in the Premier League who plays the type of football that suits the player down to the ground. Given that – in normal circumstances – it would be reasonable to expect Big Sam to put in some sort of bid of lets say £7m – £8 million assuming the striker stays fit. But nothing, is never that straightforward in Big Andy's world and there is an immediate King-sized problem if his old mate Sam were to move in. Yep, the clue is in the name of the club – Sunderland. Could the born and bred Geordie with an oft repeated love of all things Newcastle think the unthinkable and actually join the their deadliest enemy. What a dilemma that would be for both Sunderland and Newcastle fans plus Andy himself. Remember this piece if an when the next bright spark comes ujp with a piece of speculation that was screaming out to be written.

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Payet: "We have the quality for two first X1s"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 13, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

Dimi Payet has sent a message to his international boss Didier Deschamps declaring: "I do not understand what is expected of me."
However the Upton Park starman added: "Not to be called up for France does not stop me from living. I am in a dream today in England. The national team, if it will only make me unhappy, then I do not want it. I feel as if it is an injustice, yes. It is over a year now that I am in the best form of my career, even if I can still get better. So, for me, it is unjust not to be in the French squad, yes."
Payet has adjusted brilliantly to life in the Premier League and says: "At 28 and after having played for Marseille, I felt ready. I had offers in the past, but, when I look at the level, it would have been difficult to come here when I was younger. "Ok, if your name is Eden Hazard, then, you know there is not going to be a problem…" He added: "At West Ham, we have enough to make two starting XIs. If you are not good, they can quickly put someone in your place and forget about you. I told the coach before I signed: "If I come here and the balls are going over my head, I am not going to be of much use." He assured me about the project that he wanted to put in place.We have quality up front. We are still struggling in certain games to play our game, but we are improving."

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Midfielder's season under serious spotlight
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 13, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

Slaven Bilic will be closely watching Alex Song's season once he returns from his long lay off. Song is now expected to make a squad comeback towards the end of this month and needs to make a big impact if he's to land the three year deal he wants. That was his aim before an ankle injury saw him sidelined and eventually sawundergo surgery at the end of last season. The Irons though were always determined to give him a chance to prove himself, taking him back on a year's loan deal during which they will monitor very closely indeed one he returns.. ClaretandHugh was told by a club source: "His form in the second half of the season tailed off considerably. Although the injury may have been an impact, it's not the first time in his career that's been the case. "We want to see him reach that brilliant standard he showed for us early last season over the entire of the season. If that's the case there's no question a contract is waiting."

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Daves head for a first in January window
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 13, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

West Ham's owners David Sullivan and David Gold could create a first for the first time in over 20 years as football club owners this winter. Having assembled what has been described by many as the club's best squad for several years it is unlikely they will be moving in the January transfer market. The duo want to see some outward movement having spent a 'small fortune' on transfer fees and wages in the summer and – as reported earlier – James Collins and Joey O'Brien are prime candidates to be moved off the wage bill. Were the club to make any move in January it is likely they would bring in a right back on loan or permanently but for the first time in a long time there is no need for any 'elastoplast surgery.' Having landed every player they were after in the summer they will be content if they don't have to add to the squad which would be the first time in their time at Birmingham City and West Ham that they haven't made a signing The pair are more than happy with what they have but co chairman Sullivan teased: "You never say never do you!"

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Hammers safeguards against OS pitch-wrecking
Posted by Sean Whetstone on October 13, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

West Ham – whilst having no veto of stop other clubs using the Olympic Stadium – do have rights to complain if they believe future events will damage the pitch.

However, the chances of the pitch being damaged may be remote after Newcastle staged three Rugby world cup games in eight days in St James Park on the same specification of Desso pitch that will be used at the Olympic Stadium.

Newcastle fans have been told they do need not worry about the state of the St James' Park pitch.

OSF2South Africa and Scotland played at St James Park on Saturday 3rd October, followed by New Zealand v Tonga last Friday October 9th Scotland and Samoa completed the three-match run last Saturday leaving a full eight days until the Premier League visit of Norwich City this weekend.

Rugby and football is not uncommon on the same surface, clubs including Reading, Huddersfield, Watford, Wigan and Hull having shared their pitches with rugby clubs in recent years.

Advances in pitch technology make wear and tear less of an issue, Newcastle among the many clubs to have installed a Desso pitch which is also used at the Boleyn Ground.

Dilutable paint has been used to lay the pitch markings for the Premier League football season to date, which can be totally washed out for the rugby.The same paint will be used for the rugby lines to ensure a totally clean removal by the time Premier League duty resumes.

The Newcastle experience in the Rugby world cup increases the chances of multiple games whether Rugby or football being played at the Olympic Stadium during West Ham's season with the Hammers have little evidence that the pitch would suffer.

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